Manasseh Back In Fine Style

Top UK reggae producer Nick Manasseh returns in mighty fine style with four killer cuts of the "People" rhythm on the Roots Garden label.

The three vocal cuts come from new talent Dark Angel with "People Come To", from veteran soundman Kenny Knots we have "Unbreakable" and from the little-recorded Bob Skeng, a message to all rip-off producers with "Tek Caution". Topped off with a dub cut from Manasseh himself, the rhythm has a mid-80s digital feel to it in the tradition of labels such as Unity and Jah Tubbys.

The four cuts can be picked up on two 7" 45s or you can do what I did and download all four from Boomkat for £2.95. Click here to purchase and for sound samples.

On the subject of Manasseh, Emiliana Torrini's new single "Me and Armini" has got the Nick treatment and it sounds good to me. This isn't the first time the pair have worked together. Who can forget the remix of "Sunny Road" from a couple of years ago. In case you don't know what I am talking about, I have posted an udio clip below along with "Me and Armini"

Roots Garden Showcase Part 1 & 2

This is how contemporary roots reggae should sound. And it's made in the UK, fancy that. Brighton-based Roots Garden label have been behind some of the more interesting reggae 45's over the past two years or so. With Nick Manasseh in the production chair, that's no real surprise.

All the tracks here are great, but from `Volume 1', I lean towards Bob Skeng `The Lion' with its wicked vocal and simple but effective horns riff and Dark Angel - `Free Da Minds' with its hard 80's style digital rhythm and from `Volume 2' - Freddie McGregor's `Rally', a re-cut of his Studio One classic `Rastaman Camp' and Earl Sixteen with `Gold Dust', coming like an 1980's Channel One production.

`Roots Garden Showcase Parts 1' and `2' - with 4 vocal tracks and four dub cuts on each 12" slate have been out for a while but should still quite easy to pick up. They can also be bought digitally from here or here along with other productions from the same stable. Check the same source for sound clips too.

Here are some audio clips from Part 1.

Brother Culture - Isis

Reggae MC Brother Culture has been around for a long time, since the early 80's in fact, when he was a mic man with Jah Revelation Muzik, a south London based sound system. But I first heard of him just a few years ago when he had an excellent 10" released on the Dubhead label with Mungos Hi-Fi entitled "Ing" which used some very clever wordplay over a heavy digital roots rhythm.

This release sees Brother Culture hook up with longtine producer Nick "Manasseh" Raphael who, along with Brother Culture have put together one fine album. In fact it's the production and the variety of rhythms that swing it for me. Solid productions throughout, from the ska-flavoured opening track "The Rider" to the roots orientated "Darker Side Of Town" (also available on 7" on the Roots Garden label) and "If There Were Gods" to dancehall flavours like "How Wi Roll" and "Turn It Around". There are also occasional hints of Hip Hop, some Indian percussion and to top it off some subtle acoustic guitar, melodica and tasteful flute playing which lends the set an organic feel.

For the most Brother Culture's delivery is spot on and very clear when either singing or MCing and does not venture too far into patois, giving his music more widespread appeal. In this respect I could compare him to Macka B who is very popular throughout the world partly for this reason. "Isis" is a worthy set which I heartily recommend. Special mention must go again to Nick Manasseh one of the most creative reggae producers and remixers in the UK right now. No doubt, I will write more about him in the future.

You can listen to sound clips from the album here.